Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha | Legends of Vijaya Ekadashi

Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Arjuna was feeling immense joy in hearing the glorification of Ekadashi. After listening to the story of Jaya Ekadashi, Arjuna said - "O Pundarikaksha! What is the name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Phalguna month and what is the rule of its fast? Please tell me in detail about it also."

Shri Krishna said- "O Arjuna! The name of Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Phalguna month is Vijaya. Because of its fast, a person gets Vijayashree (Victory). All sins are eliminated by listening and reading the glorification (Mahatmya) of this Vijaya Ekadashi."

Once Devarshi Narada said to Brahmaji, the father of the universe - "O Brahmaji! Please tell me the fast of Vijaya Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Phalguna month and its method."

After Listening to Devarshi Narada, Brahmaji said - "O son! Fasting on Vijaya Ekadashi destroys past and present sins. Till now I have not told the rules and procedure of this Ekadashi to anyone, but I will tell you now, the Vijaya Ekadashi grants victory to all the people who keep fast on this day."

Now listen to the story with complete devotion - When Shri Rama got fourteen years of exile, He started living in Panchavati along with His brother Lakshman and consort Devi Sita. At that time the felonious demon King Ravana abducted Mata Sita.

Shri Ramji and Lakshmanji were extremely saddened by this tragic incident and started wandering from forest to forest in search of Sitaji. Wandering through the forests, they found the Jatayu who was dying. Jatayu narrated to Him the entire story of Mother Sita's abduction, took his last breath in the lap of Lord Shri Rama and attained heaven. Later, Shri Rama and Lakshman became friends with Sugrivji and there they killed vicious Bali.

Hanumanji, the ardent devotee of Shri Rama, went to Lanka and searched out Mata Sita and narrated the entire story of the friendship between Shri Ramji and Maharaja Sugriva. Hanumanji came to Shri Ramchandraji after returning from there and narrated the entire story of his meeting with Mata Sita in Ashok Vatika.

After knowing the whole situation, Shri Ramchandraji, with the consent of Sugriva, left for Lanka along with his army of monkeys and bears. On reaching the seashore, Shri Ramji saw the vast sea full of crocodiles and said to Lakshmanji - "O Lakshman! How will we cross this vast sea full of uncountable crocodiles and predatory creatures?"

After listening to Lord Shri Rama, Lakshmanji said - "Brother! You are Purana Purushottama Adipurusha. Nothing is hidden from you. Half a Yojana away from here is the Ashram of Vakdalbhya Muni on Kumari Island. He is the knower of Brahmas of many names. Only they can tell you the solutions to your victory."

Listening the words of His younger brother Lakshmanji, Shri Ramji went to the ashram of Vakdalbhya Rishi and set aside after paying obeisance to him.

Seeing Shri Rama in his ashram, Maharishi Vakdalbhya asked - "O Shri Ram! For what purpose have you sanctified my hut, please tell me your purpose, Lord!"

Hearing the sage's sweet words, Shri Ramji said - "O Rishivar! I have come here with my army and am going to Lanka with the desire to conquer the demon king Ravana. Please tell me some way to cross the sea. This is my purpose in coming to you."

Maharishi Vakdalbhya said- "O Ram! Let me tell you a very good fast. By doing this you will definitely get Vijayashree (Victory)."

"What kind of fast is this, Munishrestha! By doing which one achieves victory in all fields?" Shri Rama asked with curiosity. On this Maharishi Vakdalbhya said- "O Shri Rama! By fasting on Vijaya Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Phalguna month, you will certainly cross the ocean and will be victorious in the war also. O Maryada Purushottam! For this fast, make a Kalasha of gold, silver, copper or clay on the day of Dashami. Fill that Kalasha with water, place Pancha Pallava on it and install it on the altar (Vedika). Place Satanja i.e. seven mixed grains under that Kalasha and barley on top. Install a golden idol of Lord Vishnu on it. On the day of Ekadashi, after taking a bath, worship Lord Shri Hari with incense, lamp, Naivedya, coconut etc. Spend the whole day devotionally in front of that Kalasha and stay awake at night by sitting in the same manner. On the day of Dwadashi, after taking a bath on the banks of a river or pond, give that Kalasha to a Brahmin. Hey Dashrathanandan! If you observe this fast with your army generals, then Vijayashree (Victory) will unquestionably choose you." After listening to the sage's words, Shri Ramchandra ji observed the fast of Vijaya Ekadashi and with its influence attained victory over the demons.

"O Arjuna! The person who completes this fast with all the rituals will be victorious in both worlds. Shri Brahmaji had said to Naradji - One who hears or reads the greatness or glorification of this fast gets the fruits of Vajpayee Yagya."

Synopsis (Katha-Saar)

Worshipping Lord Vishnu in any form fulfils all the wishes of human beings. Although Shri Rama himself was an incarnation of Vishnu, He observed this fast for the sake of Lord Vishnu to show the right path to living beings through His Leela. One who desires victory can attain eternal results by observing this fast.